Baylor starts season with highest AP ranking since 1957

Another sign of Baylor’s expanding national respect was seen Sunday when the Bears were ranked No. 10 in the preseason Associated Press media poll.

It’s the highest preseason ranking for the Bears since they were ranked No. 7 to start the 1957 season.

It’s also the first time the Bears have been ranked in the top 25 before the season since they were No. 12 in 1986. It was one of four times that Baylor previously has been ranked to start the season, along with 1957, 1953 and 1951.

The No. 10 preseason position hasn’t been a kind one for the last two teams ranked there in the AP poll in the last two seasons. Florida in 2013 and Arkansas in 2012 both skidded to 4-8 records after starting the season ranked at No. 10.

The Bears were one of three Big 12 teams ranked in the opening poll. Oklahoma was ranked No. 4 and Kansas State was 20th.

The Sooners’ ranking marked their highest preseason since they were No. 4 to start 2012. It also marked the ninth time in the last 14 seasons that Bob Stoops’ team will start the season among the top four teams.

KSU will start the season at No. 20. It’s the first time the Wildcats will start the season ranked since 2012 and is their highest preseason ranking since they were No. 13 to start the 2004 season.

Texas checked in at No. 28, but failed to make the preseason top 25 for the second time in the last four seasons. Before missing in 2011, the Longhorns had made the preseason top 25 12 consecutive seasons with Mack Brown in charge.

Other Big 12 teams that were ranked included Oklahoma State at No. 33, TCU at No. 35, Teas Tech at No. 38 among the 50 teams that received votes.